Rooppur Electricity Tariff To Be Fixed Very Soon: Science And Technology Minister
Experimental power generation from the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) currently lacks a definite timeline following delays caused by a technical fault, according to Minister of Science and Technology Mr. Fakir Mahbub Anam. Originally scheduled to begin feeding electricity into the national grid by September, the initial generation phase has hit a standstill due to a critical malfunction in Unit 1’s Pressure-Operated Regulatory Valve (PORV). Without this complication, supplying approximately 300 megawatts to the grid would have been entirely feasible this month.
Addressing journalists at the Secretariat regarding the Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026, the minister explained that out of three regulatory valves, only one is currently functioning properly while the other two face severe issues. These components have undergone months of dismantling, inspection, reassembly, and testing. To resolve the complication, five Russian specialists have arrived on site to evaluate progress, meaning a specific timeline cannot be guaranteed until their assessment is finalized.
The technical snag comes on the heels of a recent fire at a temporary project office within the Pioneer Base on the morning of September 7. Minister Mr. Fakir Mahbub Anam dismissed major security concerns, stating that the blaze was a minor event caused by an electrical short circuit that occurred well outside the main nuclear installation and restricted-access zone. Although the fire damaged IT equipment, communication servers, and some furniture, backups exist for all lost data, leaving project operations largely unaffected.
Despite facing intense pressure to expedite the massive project, the minister strongly emphasized that safety and security remain the absolute top priority. He assured the public that no compromises will be made on safety protocols, noting that before fuel loading, 47 major tests alongside roughly 2,000 flush tests were successfully executed, followed by approximately 90 additional evaluations. If necessary to bypass current delays, alternative measures such as transferring valves from the second unit to the first unit are being considered.
Regarding the financial aspects of the energy output, the minister confirmed that the electricity tariff for Rooppur remains to be finalized. He explained that pricing will be determined very soon, though a definitive date heavily depends on grid synchronization progress and the successful conclusion of the remaining pre-commissioning tests. Synchronization timing remains flexible while technical teams work closely with Russian experts to overcome the current engineering hurdles.
Constructed at an estimated cost of BDT 1,38,700 crore, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is a nearly $20 billion venture featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with a combined capacity of 2,400 MW. The landmark initiative is being built with technical and financial assistance from Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom. As a project of immense national importance and prestige, authorities maintain that methodical caution takes precedence over rigid deadlines to ensure absolute plant safety.
